So i have a discussion open about what cars i could get on my budget, $33k, and iv been really putting the 06 E46 M3 (comp. package) up there and its pretty much on the same priority level as my #1 car, 370z NISMO. A reason that it is about to beat the car that iv been almost sure i was sticking with for over 1/2 year is because i really wanted the whole SMG systen in my car. im pretty new to "manual transmission" as iv only driven automatic cars before,(but i REALLY want to learn how to drive stick and have a car like that for a while) and SMG seems pretty cool and fun to drive.

the only thing is, iv been hearing from many people that getting an SMG transmission on an 06' models is just a bad idea and is only going to be costly for me to have. no one has really given me a specific answer as to why it would be costly and id really like some info on it. i tried looking up "SMG problems" in the search but nothing really relative to what people were saying came up. Im not sure if the people that are telling me this are saying that the actually transmission system is "crappy" and wont hold up as much as a straight stick & clutch manual system.

Yes, SMG is crappy on the E46 M3, many problems especially bought used and past maintenance. Not only that, but the shifting technology is dated, noticeably clunky vs. DCT, and slower. Get a 6MT if anything. Do a quick search on http://forum.e46fanatics.com/. In general, the E46 M is high maintenance car past 60,000 miles.

Otherwise, I think the E46 M3 is the best looking M in history to-date, wish it wasn't so expensive to keep.